The House Energy and Commerce Committee last week approved H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. In a victory for NAHB, the legislation, also known as “Home Star,” recognizes the Home Builders Institute HBI) as a certified workforce program.

The legislation could provide up to $6 billion in rebates to home owners who hire contractors to install new heating and air conditioning units, replace old windows and water heaters and make other energy-efficient upgrades.

NAHB economists estimate that every $1 billion in remodeling and home improvement activity generates 11,000 jobs, $527 million in wages and salaries and $300 million in business income — making these incentives a boost for the economy as well as energy efficiency.

“We believe the inclusion of the HBI program will improve access to the Home Star program for highly-trained and qualified workers that will transfer career-path skills in weatherization into jobs that will ultimately outlast the short-term incentives of a Home Star program,” NAHB said in a letter to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), prior to the vote by the House panel.

The program, which has the strong backing of the Obama Administration, would run for two years and be administered by the Energy Department. It is uncertain when the bill will come to the House floor for a vote.

To view the legislation, click here and enter H.R. 5019 in the box at the center of the page.

For more information, e-mail Elizabeth Odina at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8570.